Reversing movement for plating machines



a Aug. 16, 1938. A. H. HANNOEN 2,127,406

REVERSING MOVEMENT FOR PLATING MACHINES Filed March 5; 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet l w W 4 J i y- :r Q

- J "H an m M. nu m an f 9 N Q @r H up m I S w n L: 3 M w 3% Q L M T L "a J INVENTOR Q 141-34527 H- Hfi/VNON. w BY ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 16, 1938. A. H. HANNON REVERSING MOVEMENT FOR PLATING MACHINES Filed March 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ens F I h y-mi m m m 5 TH 47% E w W A 3 L u O 5 Q1106 [1V Aug. 16, 1938. A. H. HANNON REVERSING MOVEMENT FOR PLATING MACHINES Filed March 5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 16, 1938. A. H. HANNON 2,127,406

REVERSING MOVEMENT FOR PLATING MACHINES Filed March 5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 L L 1 /20 I26 96 F/ 8. [FORWARD S [Tia fi r REVERSE 98 I52 153 r y O L f i I INVENTOR A1252 H- w/mau.

SMQNW am? Patented Aug. 16, 1938 PATENT OFFICE REVERSING MOVEMENT FOR. PLATING MACHINES Albert H. Ilannon, Springfield, Ohio Application March 5, 1935, Serial No. 9,461

24 Claims.

This invention relates to electro-processing apparatus, and in particular, to such apparatus wherein the articles to be electroplated are carried by a moving conveyor.

One object of my invention is to provide an electro-processing machine wherein the moving conveyor has a reversing motion applied thereto so as to move the work back and forth as it goes through the solution.

Another object is to provide an electrical reversing movement to an electro-processing machine of this nature, thereby eliminating mechanical variable speed mechanism and obtaining a varia- Lion of time in the plating solution by varying either or both the backward and forward movements of the conveyor.

Another object is to provide an electro-processing machine of the traveling chain type, wherein the chain is provided with spaced pins which actuate electrical switches in such a manner that the chain is given an alternate forward and backward movement, transferring this movement to the articles carried by the chain.

Another object is to provide an electro-processing machine having a traveling conveyor chain, whereof the driving motor is also caused to operate the reversing switches so as to reverse this motor and with it the direction of motion of the conveyor chain.

Another object is to provide electrically-actuated mechanism of this sort, wherein a pilot motor is operated in conjunction with the driving motor of the machine, this pilot motor operating the reversing switches, which in turn, reverse the driving motor of the machine at predetermined intervals, thereby causing the conveyor chain to operate in reversible directions as it moves through the solution.

Another object is to provide an electro-processing machine having a conveyor chain operated by a driving motor, the conveyor chain having spaced pins thereon, and electrical switches operated thereby, these electrical switches being arranged to control a reversing switch for reversing the direction of motion of the driving motor, these switches and their associated mechanism being so arranged that the driving chain first moves forward by the space between three pins, then backward by the space between two pins, then forward by the space between three pins, etc., this giving the efiect of making two steps forward and one step backward while moving through the solution.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the electro-processing machine of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the electroprocessing machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation, with the cover removed, of the electrical motor reversing apparatus used in the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation, with the cover removed, of the triple unit switch shown in Figure 3 as operated by the pins on the conveyor chain.

Figure 5 is a front elevation, with the cover removed, of a modified type of motor-reversing arrangement, similar to that shown in Figure 3 but with the motor reversed by switches operated by gearing and racks connected to the main driving motor of the machine instead of by pins on the conveyor chain.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the gearing, operating solenoids and racks of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a central vertical section through the mechanism shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an electrical wiring diagram of the principal form of my invention, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an electrical wiring diagram of the modified form of my invention, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of apparatus similar to that of Figure 5, but with the racks and their associated mechanism operated by a pilot motor in synchronism with the main driving motor instead of by the main driving motor itself.

Figure 11 is a section along the line I|--|l of Figures 3 and 4, showing the triple switch as operated by the pins on the conveyor chain.

Electra-processing machine in general Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows the machine of my invention as having a frame generally designated l0, surmounting and surrounding an electro-processing tank generally designated H. The frame I0 is provided'with cross members l2, I3, l4, l5 and IS, the cross members I! and [3 serving to support a base plate ll, upon which there is mounted the main driving motor l8.

The main driving motor is operatively connected by the shaft I!) to the gear box 20, which in turn, is connected by the shaft 2| to the worm 22 (Figure 5). The latter meshes with the worm gear 23 mounted upon the main drive shaft 24, and which carries the main driving sprocket 25 on its lower end. The main drive shaft 24, between the sprocket 25 and the worm gear 29, is rotatably supported in the bearing 28 mounted upon the frame cross member l2.

Also mounted upon the frame cross member is the bearing 21, carrying a shaft 28 which rotatably supports the sprocket 29. The cross member II, at the opposite end of the machine, similarly carries bearings 90 and 3| rotatably supporting the shafts 32 and 33, respectively, which in turn, carry the sprockets 34 and 35, respectively.

Arranged to travel in an orbital path around the sprockets 25, 29, 84 and 35 is the conveyor chain 96, by which the articles to be plated are moved through the solution. The conveyor chain 98 is provided at intervals with hangers 81 having hooks 98 from which the articles are suspended. Accordingly, as the conveyor chain 38 is moved through the solution, the hangers 31 move the plated articles, and thus tend to present fresh quantities of plating solution as well as to wash hydrogen bubbles from the surfaces of the plated articles. It is to the conveying chain 88 that the reversing motion of the machine is applied.

The anode bars of the metal to be plated are suspended from the anode rods 39, arranged at the edges of the tank whereas the cathode charge is communicated to the article-carriers 81 by their sliding contact with the track 40 (Figure 1), which generally follows the path of the conveyor chain 38. This track 4|! is connected to the negative pole of the plating current, whereas the anode rods 39 are connected to the positive pole thereof.

By the apparatus hereinafter described the conveyor chain 96 is caused to move forward for a predetermined time or distance, then backward and again forward, thus alternating its movements to and fro as it passes through the solution. It may also be mentioned that the cross members l8, i4, i5 and it are intercom nected by longitudinal members 4| and 42 (Figure 1). The cross members l2 and H, on the other hand, are interconnected by the longitudi' nal member 43, the base plate I! of the driving unit forming the other longitudinal member. An adjusting screw arrangement 44 (Figure 1) serves to adJust the driving mechanism so as to take up any slack in the conveyor chain 36.

Reversing apparatus operated by conveyor chain In the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 8. the reversing of the chain is accomplished by control mechanism operated by the chain itself. To this end the conveyor chain 36 is equipped with spaced pins 45, shown inFigures 8 and 11.

Arranged at the sides of the tank II, as on the longitudinal frame member 4|, are switch boxes 58 and 5|, respectively, (Figure 3). The switch box 50, better shown in Figure 4, contains three mercury switches 52, 53 and 54, mounted on the supporting plates 55, 55, and 51, rotatably supported on the shafts 5B, 59 and 60, respectively. Each of the plates 55, 56 and 51 carries an arm, respectively designated GI, 62 and 53. A spring 64 urges the arm 6| of the switch 52 toward the left against the stop 65, whereas the spring 68 interconnects the switch arms 62 and 83 so as to urge them toward the stop pins 61 and 68, respectively.

In the switch box 50 is mounted a. plurality of shafts 18, H and 12, which respectively carry the intermeshing gears 13, i4 and '15. The gear 13 is provided with pins 16 and 11, arranged on one face thereof, whereas the gears 14 and I5 are similarly provided with pins 18 and 19, respectively. The pins 11, 18 and T9 are arranged to engage ,the switch arms 8|, 62 and 93, respectively, as the gears rotate.

The switch box 50 is also provided with the slide bearing 80, which reciprocably supports the slide member 8| having a projecting arm 82 extending therefrom, and adapted to engage the pin 16 on the gear 13. A spring 83, attached at one end to the pin 84 on the slide member II and at its other end to the pin 85 on the switch box 58, serves to urge the slide member 8| downward against a stop lug in the bottom of the switch box 50.

Also mounted on the central gear shaft II is the forked arm 86 (Figures 8 and 11) the two tines of which engage the pins 45 on the conveyor chain as they pass by it. The rotation of the shaft 1| by engagement of the forked member 88 with the conveyor pins also rotates the gears 13 and. 15 in mesh with the gear 14, so that the three mercury switches may be operated by the single forked arm 86, in the manner subsequently to be described. The edge of the gear 14 has notches 81 and 88, which are adapted to be engaged by the spring stop 89, urged therein by the spring 90 (Figure 4 and Figure 11).

The switch box 5| contains but a single mercury switch 9|, mounted upon the rotatable plate 92. The latter is carried by the shaft 93, which carries thereon an L-shaped arm 94. The latter is also adapted to engage the conveyor pins 45 in a manner subsequently to be described, thereby tilting the mercury switch 9| (Figures 3 and 8).

The machine of my invention is additionally provided with a control box (Figures 2 and 3), which contains the electrical apparatus for reversing the main driving motor in accordance with the motions of the pins 45. Mounted in this control box 95 is the electrical starting switch, generally designated, 96, and having the forward and reverse portions 91 and 98, respectively, (Figure 3). The control box 95 also contains a starting and stopping push button switch 99, a manual switch I00, a motor-operated centrifugal switch, generally designated IN, a relay, generally designated I02, and fuses I03. The specific details of these parts will be described under the operation thereof.

The centrifugal switch ||l|, however, consists of a motor I04 connected to the same circuit as the main driving motor l8. The shaft )5 of the motor 104 carries the arm I05, on which are pivotally mounted the centrifugal overnor weights lli'i having the bell-crank arms I08. The ends of the latter engage a grooved wheel I09 attaclicd to the sleeve H0, slidably mounted on the motor shaft M5. The free end of the sleeve Ill] engages the arm iii of the mercury switch base ilZ, this being pivotally mounted on the shaft I I3 and carrying mercury switches H4 and 5 (Figures 3 and 8), the connections from which are brought out to the terminals mounted upon the insulated plate H6. The terminals of the control box 95 as a .whole are brought out to the insulated terminal plate H1 (Figure 3).

Electrical circuit in the chain-controlled apparatus The electrical circuit for the reversing apparatus controlled by the pins 45 on the conveyor chain 36 (Figures 3 and 4) is shown in Figure 8. The electrical elements which go to make up this apparatus have been briefly described above, and

are contained mainly within the control box 95. 75

The arrangement of Figure 8 shows the main driving motor as operated by a three-phase alternating current, but it will be understood that other arrangements employing a two-wire circuit may also be used.

The three-phase alternating current is received from the power lines H8, H9 and I20. These join the first three contacts of the forward portion 91 and reverse portion 98 of the reversing switch 96. The forward portion is provided with contacts I24, I25, I26 and I21 on one side, together with contacts I28, I29, I30 and I3I on the other side, these being joined by the switch bars I32 connected to the armature of the operating coil I33 (Figure 8). Also mechanically connected to the switch blades I32, as by the link I49, so as to be operated by the opening and closing thereof, is the mercury switch I34.

The reverse portion 98 of the reversing switch 96 similarly contains contacts I35, I36, I31 and I38, opposite which are mounted the contacts I39, I40, HI and I42, these being adapted to be Interconnected by the switch blades I43 operated by the armature of the operating coil I44. The forward side of the reversing switch 96 contains the overload relay coil I45, arranged to separate the contacts I46 when a current overload occurs. Similarly, the reverse side 98 contains an over load relay coil I41, arranged to similarly separate the relay contacts I48 when an overload occurs in that circuit.

The main driving motor I8 is of any suitable type, the three-phase reversible type being shown. The three terminals of this motor are connected respectively to the terminals I28, I29 and I39 of the reversing switch 96, with the heating coils I45 and I41 of the overload relays intervening.

The relay I02 is actuated by its operating coil I50, by which the switch bar |5I is operated to connect either its lower or its upper pair of contacts. The circuit shown in Figure 8 is completed by the provision of the push button switch station 99, having the start" push button switch I52 and the stop push button switch I53.

Operation. of the chain-controlled reversing apparatus To start the chain-controlled reversing circuit in operation the start push button switch I52 is depressed, the manual switch I00, of course, having been closed. This completes the circuit energizing the operating 0011 I33 of the forward side 91 of the reversing switch 96 from the contact I26 of the forward side 91 to the contact I31 of the reverse side 98, thence through the contacts I48 of the overload relay I41, the starting switch I52, the operating coil I33 of the forward switch 91, the stop switch I53, the contacts I46 of the overload relay I45 to the contact I24 of the forward switch 91.

The operating coil I33 being thus energized, closes its switch blades I32. This completes the circuit from the power lines H8, H9 and I to the terminals of the main driving motor I8. The circuit from the line II8 proceeds by way of the contacts I24 and I28 and the overload relay heating coil I45; that from the line I I9 proceeds by way of the contacts I and I29; that from the line I20 proceeds by way of the contacts I26, I30 and I39, and the overload relay heating coil I41.

The closing of the forward starting switch 91 also closes the switch blade connecting the contacts I21 and I3I thereof. This completes a holding circuit for maintaining the energization of the operating coil I 33 when the starting push button I52 is released. This circuit proceeds by way of the contact I21, the contact IN, the switch bar I5I connecting the lower contacts of the relay I02, the operating coil I33 of the forward starting switch 91, the stop" push button switch I53, and the contacts I46 of the overload relay coil I to the contact I24 of the forward switch 91, completing the circuit. This action locks the forward switch 91 in position regardless of the opening of the starting push button switch I52 by its release.

The main driving motor I8 thus energized, starts rotating, transmitting power through the mechanism previously described, to the main driving sprocket 25, causing the chain 36 to start moving in its orbital path As the chain 36 moves, one of its pins 45 travels forward and engages the forked arm 86 connected to the shaft H in the switch box (Figures 4 and 8).

This movement of the forked arm 86 rotates the gears 13, 14 and 15, causing the pins 11, 18 and 19 to move circumferentially. This urges the switch arm 6| away from its stop 65 and closes the mercury switch 52, but does not affect the mercury switches 53 and 54 because their switch arms 62 and 63 are prevented from further motion by their being already against the stops 61 and 68. The circuit is now completed from the contact I24, through the contacts I46 of the overload relay I45, the stop push button I53, the chain-operated mercury switch 52 and the operating coil I50 of the relay I02 to the contact I26 of the forward switch 91. The relay I02 being thus energized, moves its switch bar I5I from its lower to its upper contacts. The switch bar I5I becomes locked up in this position by the holding circuit proceeding by way of the contact I26, the relay coil I50, the chain-operated mercury switch 53. the upper contacts of the relay I02 by way of the switch bar' I5I, the stop push button switch I53, the contacts I46 of the overload relay I45 to the contact I24 of the forward switch 91, completing the circuit.

The spring 64 causes the switch 52 to open again after the chain pin 45 has passed under the fork 86, whereupon the switch 52 assumes the position shown in Figure 8. The pin 45 then passes beneath the arm 94 and opens the mercury switch 9| in the switch box 5| (Figures 3 and 8). As the switch 9| is bridged around the lower contacts of the relay I02 and as the switch bar is engaging the upper contacts thereof, the opening of the switch 9| breaks the holding circuit of the operating coil I33 of the forward switch 91, opening this switch and deenergizing the main driving motor I8.

At the same time the opening of the forward switch 91 moves the link I49 and closes the mercury switch I34 connected thereto. Meanwhile the centrifugal switch motor I04 has also been deenergized, being connected in the same circuit as the main driving motor I8. .As it comes to a stop its governor weights I01 move inward (Fig ure 3), and the sleeve IIO moves to the right along the motor shaft I05, closing the mercury switches H4 and H5. This places the reversing switch 98 in a condition for operation, the operating coil I44 thereof being energized by the circuit proceeding by way of the contacts I26 and I21 on; the forward switch 91, the mercury switches I34 and H5, the contact I38 of the re versing switch 88, the operating coil I44 of the latter, the upper contacts and switch bar I5I of the relay I02 (which at this time is locked up), the stop switch I53 and the contacts I46 of the overload relay I46 to the contact I24 of the forward switch 81, completing the circuit. Thus the centrifugal switch IOI prevents the reversal of the driving motor I8 until the latter has completely slowed down and stopped. The over-run of this motor and the inertia of the moving parts are thus counteracted and no damage results.

The energization of the operating coil I44 of the reverse switch 88, as Just described, closes its switch blades I43 and reversely energizes the main driving motor I8 so that it rotates in a reverse direction. The chain 36 also moves in a reverse direction, and the pin passing back from the switch bar 84 of the mercury switch 9i, permits this switch to close again and comes into the forked arm 86 associated with the mercury switch 88, thereby opening the latter and closing the mercury switch 64.

The opening of the mercury switch 53, which lies in the circuit holding the operating coil I of the relay I02, energized with its switch bar I6I locked up against the upper contacts thereof, deenergizes the relay I02 and releases the switch bar I5I thereof, causing it to close its lower contacts. This, in turn, deenergizes the operating coil I44 for the reverse switch 88 by breaking the circuit previously described, deenergizing the main driving motor I8 and stopping its rotation with the assistance of the cer1- trifugally-operated switches H4 and H5.

The main driving motor i8 now becomes for wardly energized by the energization of the for--- ward switch coil I83 through the circuit proceed ing by way of the forward switch contact M6, the chain-operated mercury switch 54!, the centril' ugally-operated mercury switch M4, the for" ward switch coll I33, the stop push button switch I53 and the contacts M8 of the over load relay I45 to the forward switch contact lll l, completing the circuit. The forward switch blades I32 are closed upon their contacts by the cnergization oi the forward. switch. operating coil I33, and locked in position through the loch up circuit proceeding from the contacts ill and MI, in the manner previously described.

The main driving motor Hi now rotates in a forward direction, causing the pins it to move the forked arm 86 of the mercury switch to the left, thereby closing the switch 53 and open ing the mercury switch 5%. When this pin passes under the arm 94 operating the mercury switch 9i, inasmuch as the switch bar l5i is now engaging the lower contacts of the relay I02, the switch 9| is opened without disturbing the con-- trol or deenergizing any of the operating coils so that the following pin 45 on the chain now actuates the forked arm 86 of the mercury switch 53, thereby starting a new cycle of operations.

Reversing apparatus operated by main motor drive shaft main driving motor I8, as previously described,

drives the worm gear 23 through the worm 22,, and accordingly, drives the shaft I which is, in effect, an extension of the'main driving shaft 24 (Figures 5 and 7). Mounted on the upper end of the shaft I60, beyond the bearing bracket I6I, is a bevel gear I82 meshing with a second bevel gear I63, mounted on the shaft I 64 and journalled in the frame I65.

The shaft I64 transmits its rotation to the gear I66 mounted on the end thereof, and the latter,

in turn, rotates the pinion I81 mounted on the swinging arm I68, pivoted around an axis coinciding with the axis of the shaft I64. The pinion I61 is mounted upon a shaft I69, Journalled in the end of the arm I68, and carries on its opposite end a pinion I10 which is adapted to mesh selectively with the teeth upon either the righthand rack I1I or the left-hand rack I12 (Figure 6).

The racks HI and I12 are reciprocable verti- 1 cally in the guide grooves I13 and I14, respectively, until at the top of their strokes they engage the L-shaped push rods I15 and I18, respectively. The latter are arranged to reciprocate vertically, and are connected near their 1 lower ends to the arms I11 and I18 of the mounttings I18 and I for the mercury switches III and I82, respectively (Figure 6). These are pivoted upon the pivot shafts I83 and I84, respectively. The lower ends of the push rods I18 and I16 are prevented from dropping beyond the desired amount by the blocks I85 and I86 (Figure 6), anchored to the frame and serving also as hearing supports for the ends of the screw shafts I81 and I 88. Mounted as nuts upon the screw 2: shafts I81 and I88 are the movable blocks I88 and I90. By these the distance to which the racks ill and I12 will fall is adjusted. The springs lill and I82 soften the shock of the tail of the raclrs. By the same means it will he obvious that 3 the distance to which one raclr wil made dlfierent from that to el i fall, thus causing worloconve move to and fro, hut Toy greater incre direction than in the other. ".lhus, lacing plated is moved hack. and 'tlon, but by greater dis: than in the other so the lation oi. the article, con movement in other will chain to connected a tui'es lfill respectively.

adjusted by rhea mounted on the An additional solenol. vii-led with an e "mature rod 2% to the owl tilt serves, when enere. an intermediate posi on will engage neither of 1 when movement of the only is desired.

remainder of the ell elements t! rect, is similar to chain-operated apparatus previously described and shown in i and it. .llccordingly, the corresponding parts are given the sonic nu :merals. It may be added, however, that a man- 'ual switch 207 (Figure 9) is provided for the energization of the solenoid 284, whereas a transformer 2B8 serves to provide current for the cen triiugal switch motor I04. Figure 9, in dotted lines, shows an additional push button switch station for remote control, consisting of the additional starting switch 209 and stop switch 2I0.

The solenoids 200 and 2M for operating the swinging arm I68 are connected in parallel with the operating coils I 33 and I 44 of the forward and reverse switches 81 and 98, respectively. In 7 men nor I18. 55

t oi the I this way the sets of solenoids always work together and in the manner described below.

The swinging arm I88 mounting the oscillating pinion I18 is provided with a ball 2 and spring 2I2, serving to form a toggle in such a manner that the solenoid pulls through part of the stroke and the toggle action completes the stroke, as well as holds the arm I98 in position until the'opposing solenoid is energized.

The forward switch 91 and the reverse switch 98 are composed of similar switch blades and contacts to those previously described in connection with Figure 8. Similar overload relays with contacts I48 and I48, operated by coils I45 and' I41, are also provided, as before, and require no further description.

To start the machine in operation (Figure 9), the push button starting switch I52 is depressed. This energizes the central contacts of the mercury switches I8I and I82 by way of the forward switch contact I24, the overload relay contacts I48, the stop switch 2I8, the stop switch I53 to the central contact of the mercury switches I8I and I82, these tubes being normally tipped with their adjoining ends down. The circuit continues at the branch line of the stop switch I53, through the starting push button switch I52, the forward switch contact I21, the forward switchoperating coil I33, the overload relay contacts I48 and the reverse switch contact I31, completing the circuit energizing the forward switchoperating coil I33. The switch blades I32 thereof then close upon their contacts in the manner previously described, and the main driving motor I8 becomes energized by the same circuits described in connection with Figure 8.

By, the same action the solenoid 28I is energized, it being connected in parallel with the forward switch-operating coil I33. The current proceeds from the forward switch contact-I28, the reverse switch contact I31 to the solenoid 28I, thence through the centrifugally-operated switch II4 to the push button switch bar I52, where it is energized in the same manner as the forward switch coil I 33, the starting push button switch I52 being still depressed. The closing of the forward switch 91 also closes the holding circuit for the operating coil I 33 through the contacts I21 and I3I, except that the mercury switch I 82 is included in this circuit instead of the bar II of the relay I82 of Figure 8. This locks the forward switch 91 in its closed position, regardless of the subsequent release of the starting push button I52.

The energization of the solenoid 28I causes its armature I99 to be drawn downward and with it the cross arm I93, causing the swinging arm I68 to move to the left and engage the oscillat ing pinion I18 with the left-hand rack I12. The latter thereupon begins to lift, and moves upward to the end of its stroke. Here it engages the push rod I16, which mechanically tilts the mercury switch I82. The latter first makes contact on its outer end and then breaks its inner or holding contact. The holding circuit, through the forward switch contacts I3I and I21 being thus broken, the forward switch coil I33 is deenergized. This causes the forward switch 91 to be opened, deenergizing the main driving motor I8 and stopping the, machine. The centrifugal switch motor I84 also slows down, closing its mercury switches I I4 and H5 in the manswitch I82 through its central and left-hand con-' tacts (now closed) to and through the centrifugally-operated mercury switch H8. Here the circuit divides, one branch energizing the solenoid 288 by-way of the line leading to the reverse switch contact I31, whereas the other branch energizes the reverse switch-operating coil I44 by way of the branch leading through the reverse switch contact I38, and on its other side through the overload relay contacts I48 to the reverse switch contact I31.

This closes the reversing switch 98 and locks it in closed position through the circuit controlled by the switch bar joining the switch contacts I88 and I42, in which circuit the mercury switch -I8I is placed. The main driving motor I8, thus energized, starts rotating in a reverse direction, and at the same time the solenoid 288 shifts the swinging arm I88 to the right so that its pinion I18 engages the right-hand rack "I and releases the left-hand rack I12. The latter thereupon drops until its spring I82 engages the moving block I98, causing the mercury switch I82 to tilt back to its original position (Figure 6). The right-hand rack I1I rises until it engages the push rod I15, tilting the right-hand mercury switch I8I in such a manner as to engage its right-hand contact before it releases the lefthand contact.

The breaking of the circuit with the left-hand contact of the mercury switch I8I deenergizes the solenoids I44 and 288 by deenergizing the holding circuit through the switch contacts I38 and I42 of the reverse switch 98, thus opening the reverse switch 98 and stopping the reverse rotation of the main driving motor I8 and the centrifugal switch motor I84. The centrifugaliyoperated mercury switch II 4 then closes in the manner previously described. The forward switch coil I33 now is energized through the circuit proceeding by way of the forward switch contact I24, the overload relay contacts I48, the stop switch M8, the stop switch I53, the central and right-hand contacts of the mercury switch I8I, the centrifugally-operated mercury switch II4, the forward switch contact I21, the forward switch-operating coil I33, the overload relay contacts I48, and the reverse switch contact I31.

The solenoid 28I is energized by the same circuit as far as the upper contact of the centrifugally-operated mercury switch II4 (where the line branches), thence through the solenoid 28I to the reverse switch contact I31, completing the circuit. This brings the operation to the point at which the description commenced, and the cycle of operations repeats itself indefinitely as long as desired.

- ing motor II in one direction only.

Reversing ammtus operated by motor The arrangement shown in Figures l5, 6.? and 9 3 synchronous may be modifledin the manner shown in Figure 10 so that it may be operated as, a self-containedunit in synchronism with the main drivins motor but mechanically independent thereof. Pilot motor Ill (Figure 10). whosedrive-shaft til carries the ,worm III meshing with the worm gear Ill,

mounted on the shaft IN, is connected in multiple with the drive motor it, and is of a reversing type. The latter carries the gear I", which drives the pinion It! on the swinging arm I", and this in turn, drives the pinion I'll (Figure 7) on the common shaft III in the manner previously described. The pilot motor III is connected with the main driving motor II, the shaft I" (Figure 5) being removed from connection with the main drive shaft 24. In this manner the control box containing the electrical control parts may be moved to any desired location instead of being placed in a position immediately over the main drive shaft 24. The operation and the electrical arrangements otherwise remain the same.

It will be understood that I. desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of my claims and my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i. In an electro-processlng machine, an electr0-processing tank arranged to receive workpieces, a work-conveying chain associated therewith for supporting work-pieces in said tank to convey them therethrough, a reversible motor to drive said chain, means for alternately reversing the direction of rotation of said motor for unequal periods and adapted to drive said chain, alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions with a resultant advance in one direction, and means for delaying the reverse energization of said motor until said motor has ceased rotation.

2. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank arranged to receive workpieces, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, for supporting work-pieces in said tank to convey them therethrough, a reversible motor to drive said chain, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor at a predetermined point in the operation of said machine, and a centrifugally-operated switch for delaying the reverse energization of said motor until said motor has ceased rotation.

3. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a reversible motor to drive said chain, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor at a predetermined point in the operation of said machine, and means for selectively rendering said reversing means inoperative, whereby to operate said chain either to and fro or in a single direction only.

4. In an electro-processlng machine, an electro-processing tank arranged to receive workpieces, a work-conveying chain associated therewith for supporting work-pieces in said tank to convey them theretbrough. a motor to drive said chain. and means responsive to a predetermined amount of motion of said chain for alternately reversing the direction of the application of power from said motor to said chain unequally in one direction at predetermined points in the travel of said chain, whereby to cause said chain to progressively advance in one direction while reciprocating alternately in opposite directions.

5. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a motor to drive said chain. means operated by the motion of said chain for reversing the direction of the application of power from said motor to said chain at a predetermined point in the travel of said chain. and means for delaying the application of said reversal until said motor stops rotating.

6. In an electro-processing machine. an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a reversible motor to drive said chain, switches arranged to control the delivery of electric current to said motor to operate said motor forwardly" or reversely, means operatively connected to said chain arranged to aperate said switches at predetermined locations in the travel of said chain, and means responsive to the action of said switches to operate said reversible motor to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions whereby to cause said chain to progressively advance in one direction while reciprocating alternately in opposite directions.

7. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a reversible motor to drive said chain, switches arranged to control the delivery cf electric current to said motor to operate said motor forwardly or reversely, switch-operating members on said chain arranged to operate said switches at predetermined locations in the travel of said chain, and means responsive to the action of said switches to operate said reversible motor to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions whereby to cause said chain to progressively advance in one direction while reciprocating alternately in opposite directions.

8. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a reversible motor to drive said chain, switches arranged to control the delivery of electric current to said motor to operate said motor forwardly or reversely, switch-operating members on said chain at spaced intervals therealong and arranged to operate said switches at predetermined locations in the travel of said chain, and means responsive to the action of said switches to operate said reversible motor to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions whereby to cause said chain to progressively advance in one direction while reciprocating alternately in opposite directions.

9. In an electro-processing machine. an electro-processing tank arranged to receive workpieces, a work-conveying chain associated therewith for supporting work-pieces in said tank to convey them therethrough, a reversible motor to drive said chain, switches arranged to control the delivery of electric current to said motor to operate said motor forwardly or reversely, switchoperating means arranged to operate said switches alternately at unequal time intervals and adapted to operate said motor reversibly to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amormts in opposite directions with a re- 1 sultant advance in one direction, and means for delaying the application of said reversal until said motor stops rotating.

10. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank, a work-conveying chain associated therewith, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electrically-operated starting switch, an electrically-operated reversing switch, chain-operated switches arranged to selectively control the delivery of current to the operative means for said starting switch or said reversing switch, respectively, whereby to deliver currentto operate said motor forwardly or reversely, and means operatively connected to said chain to operate said chain-operated switches.

11. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electrically-operated starting switch, an electrically-operated reversing switch, chainoperated switches arranged to selectively control the delivery of current to the operative means for said starting switch or said reversing switch, respectively, whereby to deliver current to operate said motor forwardly or reversely, means operatively connected to said chain to operate said chain-operated switches, holding circuits for alternately holding said starting switch and said reversing switch in closed positions, and relay means to control the delivery of current selectively to one of said holding circuits at a time, the energization of said relay means being controlled by said chain-operated switches.

12. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electrically-operated starting switch, an electrically-operated reversing switch, chainoperated switches arranged to selectively control the delivery of current to the operative means for said starting switch or said reversing switch, respectively, whereby to deliver current to operate said motor forwardly or reversely, and means operatively connected to said chain to operate said chain-operated switches, said switches being arranged to cause said chain to move forwardly by different distances than rearwardly.

13. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, means operated by the rotation of said motor to alternately reverse the direction of rotation thereof after a predetermined number of revolutions thereof, and means arranged to cause said motor to operate said chain to move forwardly by difierent distances than rearwardly.

14. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, means operated by the rotation of said motor to alternately reverse the direction of rotation thereof after a predetermined number of revolutions thereof, means arranged to cause said motor to operate said chain to move forwardly by different distances than rearwardly, and means for adjustably varying the distance of operation in one direction relatively to the distance of operation in the other direction.

15. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, and means operatively controlled by said motor for operating said switches alternately after a different predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in one direction than in the other direction.

16. In an electro-prccessing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, a switch-operating member connected to each switch, and means controlled by said motor for alternately actuating said switchoperating members to operate said switches after a different predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in one direction than in the other direction.

17. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a, reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, a switch-operating member connected to each switch, and means controlled by said motor for alternately actuating said switchoperating members to operate said switches after a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in each direction, said motor-controlled means being arranged to operate said switches after a different predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in one direction than in the other direction.

18. In an electro-processing machine, a workconveying chain, a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an

electric switch for controlling the energization motor for alternately actuating said switch-operating members to operate said switches after a predetermined number of revolutions of said mo tor in each direction, said motor-controlled means being arranged to operate said switches after a different predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in one direction than in the other direction, and means for adjustably varying the interval of operation in one direction relatively to the interval of operation in the opposite direction.

19. In an electro-processing machine with a work-conveying chain, a driving arrangement comprising the combination of a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, and means operatively controlled by said motor for operating said switches alternately after a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in each directiqn, said switch-operating means comprising a pair of racks each adapted to operate one of said switches, and said motor-controlled means comprising a. gear operatively connected to said motor and movable to alternately engage said racks.

20. In an electro-processing machine with a work-conveying chain, a driving arrangement comprising the combination of a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, means operatively controlled by said motor for operating said switches alternately after a predetermined number oi revolutions or said motor in each direction, said switch-operated means comprising a pair of racks each adapted to operate one of sadi switches, and said motor-controlled means comprising a gear operatively connected to said motor and movable to alternately engage said racks, and solenoidally-operated means to shift said gear from one rack to the other.

21. In an electro-processing machine with a work-conveying chain, a driving arrangement comprising the combination of a reversible motor to drive said chain, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a forward direction, an electric circuit for operating said motor in a rearward direction, an electric switch for controlling the energization of each circuit, means operatively controlled by said motor for operating said switches alternately after a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor in each direction, said switch-operated means comprising a pair of racks each adapted to operate one of said switches, and said motor-controlled means comprising a gear operativeiy connected to said motor and movable to alternately engage said racks, solenoidally-operated means to shift said gear from one rack to the other, and solenoidally-operated means to hold said gear from engaging either of said racks.

22. In an electro-processing machine, an electro-processing tank through which work-pieces are conveyed, a work-conveying chain associated therewith to convey work-pieces through said tank, a motor to drive said chain, and means ior alternately reversing the direction of power application from said motor to said chain and adapted to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions with a resultant advance in one direction of the work-pieces in the tank.

23. In an electro-processing machine, an electroprocessing tank through which work-pieces are conveyed, a work-conveying chain associated therewith to convey work-pieces through said tank, a reversible motor to drive said chain, and means for alternately reversing the direction of rotation of said motor for unequal periods and adapted to drive said chain alternately to and fro by unequal amounts in opposite directions with a resultant advance in one direction oi the work-pieces in the tank.

24. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain having means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a tank arranged to receive said work-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, reversing means for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating said reverser, and a movable current distributor arranged to distribute current alternately to operate said reverser to move said chain for longer periods in one direction than in the other direction.

ALBERT H. HANNON. 

